Newton Cinema's Paradise Secures 4 Nominations in Key Categories at the Asian Film Awards: Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Editor

Hong Kong, 12th Jan 2024: Newton Cinema’s Paradise has been honored with four nominations at the prestigious 17th Asian Film Awards. These nominations include Best Film, Best Director for Prasanna Vithanage, Best Screenplay for Prasanna Vithanage and Anushka Senanayake, and Best Editing for A. Sreekar Prasad.  

These awards are presented by the Asian Film Awards Academy, renowned for recognizing excellence in cinematic achievements, highlighting cultural diversity and talent. A nomination to the AFA is considered an important indicator of a film's success and quality. Being nominated at AFA for multiple awards in key categories underscores the exceptional quality and artistic merit of Paradise. 

These four nominations are particularly significant for Paradise, demonstrating the film's impact and resonance within the international film community. This recognition follows the film's previous success, where it won the Best Film (Kim Jiseok) Award at the Busan International Film Festival in October 2023, further cementing its status.

For Newton Cinema, the Best Film nomination holds special significance. This nomination signifies the company's unwavering commitment to supporting and producing cinema that resonates with a global audience.

Director Prasanna Vithanage, a master filmmaker, has been recognized for his exceptional talent. With over 30 international awards including five NETPAC awards to his name, his nomination for Best Director is a testimony to his mastery and vision.

The Best Screenplay nomination for Prasanna Vithanage and Anushka Senanayake is a testament to the screenplay of Paradise, a gripping layered thriller, that has been the cornerstone of the film's success. 

The nomination for Best Editing acknowledges the outstanding work of A. Sreekar Prasad, a seasoned editor with over 600 films under his belt, including notable works such as Ponniyin Selvan and RRR. His contribution to Paradise has been pivotal in shaping its narrative and visual storytelling.

Presented by Mani Rathnam and Madras Talkies, Paradise features outstanding performances by Roshan Mathew, Darshana Rajendran, Shyam Fernando, and Mahendra Perera. The film's artistic depth is further enriched by Rajeev Ravi's cinematography, K's music, and Tapas Nayak's sound design.

Anto Chittilappilly, CEO of Newton Cinema, expressed his enthusiasm: "These nominations are a moment of pride and joy for everyone involved in Paradise. It’s not just an acknowledgment of our film but a celebration of the collaborative spirit and hard work of our team."

Newton Cinema, along with its distribution partner Century Films, is bringing two films it produced to theaters worldwide. Paradise will be released in March 2024 and Family is slated for its theatrical release in February 2024.